The roundtable focused on trade and investment connectivity opportunities across key sectors, including food, seafood, tea, coffee, cashew nuts, textiles, chemicals, mining, mechanical engineering, machine manufacturing, digital technology, telecommunications, processing technology, and electric vehicles.

Participants included representatives from 16 Vietnamese business associations and enterprises, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), along with Ambassadors and delegates from Morocco, Mozambique, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Guinea, Mauritania, Algeria, Nigeria, and Libya. All Vietnamese Ambassadors in Africa also attended virtually.

In her opening remarks, Nguyen Phuong Tra, Director General of the Department of Middle East and Africa Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recalled the enduring and trusted relationship between Vietnam and African nations while emphasizing Africa's role and importance in the world's future development. She affirmed the high attention from key and senior leaders, as well as the determination of ministries and agencies to accompany Vietnamese enterprises in forging deeper, stronger, and more cohesive cooperation with African economies for the practical benefit of businesses and to contribute to the country's double-digit growth target.

A representative from the Department of Economic Affairs shared Vietnam's economic potential and upcoming policy orientations, alongside the interests of Vietnamese businesses when cooperating with African countries. The representative outlined requirements for legal policy transparency, stable investment and business protection mechanisms, streamlined cross-border payment capabilities, and skilled labor standards from host countries in Africa.

Addressing the African Ambassadors visiting Vietnam for the first time to present their credentials, Moroccan Ambassador Jamale Chouaibi, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the African Ambassadors Group in Vietnam, highlighted Vietnam's potential, strengths, and robust development, particularly in the current period. He proposed establishing an Africa-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, hosting periodic Africa–Vietnam Forums, and increasing in-person and virtual networking events.

Mozambican Ambassador Ilundi Dos Santos stressed that with its recent strong development achievements, Vietnam is an exceptionally fitting partner to accompany, support, and share experience with African nations.

Angolan Ambassador Fernando Miguel noted that to maintain a sustainable partnership and companionship, African nations wish not only to boost trade cooperation but also to see more Vietnamese enterprises invest and establish a long-term presence in Africa.

Affirming their sound friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, Ambassadors Franck E.W. Adjagba of Benin, Lenkoko Sylvester Kenosi of Botswana, Lounceny Conde of Guinea, and Lucy Njeri Kiruthu of Mauritania detailed potential, strengths, preferential policies, and cooperation demands across multiple sectors, particularly agriculture, agricultural processing, mining, infrastructure development, healthcare, technology, and tourism.

The Ambassador of Benin shared that his government offers highly favorable policies, including a 17-year tax exemption and business registration licensing within just three days. Emphasizing the bilateral foundation as Guinea was the first African nation to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, the Guinean Ambassador expressed a desire to cooperate with Vietnamese firms in bauxite and iron ore extraction and processing.

The Ambassador of Botswana views Vietnam as a strong partner in modernizing Botswana's agriculture, while the Mauritanian Ambassador looks to beef up cooperation in fisheries, food production, and processing.

Highly valuing the practical significance of the roundtable, representatives of Vietnamese associations and enterprises proposed various measures to boost bilateral cooperation.

Building on established trade links, the Vietnam Food Association stands ready to expand and diversify the presence of Vietnamese food products in the African market.

The Vietnam National Chemical Group requested African Ambassadors maintain contact and facilitate procedures to promote raw material and mineral imports from African nations.

The Bac Ninh City Industrial Production Association discussed advanced, reasonably priced technologies with the Ambassadors, such as chemical-free high-tech agricultural preservation and pineapple processing technology, a key product of Benin.

Other opinions pointed out cooperation opportunities in both raw material supply channels and local investment potential in emerging fields. A VCCI representative affirmed efforts and willingness to accompany enterprises from both sides in exploring and strengthening cooperation, while effectively exploiting the potential and strengths of Vietnam and African countries.

Concluding the roundtable, delegates networked and agreed to maintain close communication channels, stepping up cooperation to turn bilateral potential and strengths into concrete contracts and cooperation projects.

Source: VOV

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